Wall-Modelled Large Eddy Simulations of Axial Turbine Rim Sealing

Abstract

This paper presents WMLES simulations of a chute type turbine rim seal. Configurations with an axisymmetric annulus flow and with nozzle guide vanes fitted (but without rotor blades) are considered. The passive scalar concentration solution and WMLES are validated against available data in the literature for uniform convection and a rotor-stator cavity flow. The WMLES approach is shown to be effective, giving significant improvements over an eddy viscosity turbulence model, in prediction of rim seal effectiveness compared to research rig measurements. WMLES requires considerably less computational time than wall-resolved LES, and has the potential for extension to engine conditions. All WMLES solutions show rotating inertial waves in the chute seal. Good agreement between WMLES and measurements for sealing effectiveness in the configuration without vanes is found. For cases with vanes fitted the WMLES simulation shows less ingestion than the measurements, and possible reasons are discussed.

Large Eddy Simulation Investigation of Low Rossby Number Buoyant Flow in Rotating Cavities

“…The WMLES approach used here also follows that validated in previous work by Gao and Chew [1,13] and Palermo et al [15]. This employs the second order LES scheme, developed by Amirante and Hills [16] within the Rolls-Royce code Hydra.…”